Time course of recovery after Epley maneuvers for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

The canalith repositioning maneuver (CRP) of Epley is an effective treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). While CRP has been advocated by some as a "single treatment" for BPPV, others have had less uniform results for this self-limited disorder. In order to better define the role of CRP in relieving vertigo, we studied the time course of recovery in 27 consecutive cases of BPPV. We recorded nystagmus after each head maneuver and at each evaluation until complete resolution took place, using absence of nystagmus as a strict criterion for cure. We found that while 93% of patients improved, many had persistent nystagmus at the first evaluation, and in only 63% was resolution clearly related to a CRP session. We believe that in certain cases, the effect of CRP may be due to adaptive conditioning, rather than particle redistribution.